Value yourselves, Matembe tells female students

Oct 09, 2007

Do not treat yourselves like beautiful flowers because they perish. Instead, take yourselves as hard, tough material.”

By Carol Kezaabu

Do not treat yourselves like beautiful flowers because they perish. Instead, take yourselves as hard, tough material.”

This was Miria Matembe’s advice to young women at the Inter-generational dialogue at Makerere University, recently. Matembe was the guest speaker at the function, organised by the Department of Women and Gender Studies.

Under the theme, Young Women’s Leadership Prospects and Challenges, the dialogue was aimed at improving young female students’ leadership skills. Her message to the audience that comprised of both male and female students was based on her own trials and successes as a political leader and woman ambassador for over 18 years. She is still championing the female cause and has extended her platform to the African continent.

“I am here to woo you to my cause for gender equality and empowerment,” she said.

“The multiparty system has phased out the outspoken women. They have lost their platform.”

She urged the students to value themselves, to know their capabilities as educated and learned individuals.

“When you know who you are, you are powerful,” she said.

Matembe challenged the students to rise above the stereotypes when choosing leaders. Merit and capability should be considered before tribe, region of origin, religion, political affiliation and the like.

“We have a leadership that has lost direction. What is the nature of our leadership in this country? Can it inspire young people to become leaders?” she asked.

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